Author Archives: westerner54

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About westerner54

Hello. I'm Cindy, and I love to hike, bike and explore the outdoors - particularly the western U.S.

What Do You Get When you Cross a Cantaloupe and a Chokecherry?

Posted on September 18, 2013 by westerner54

Well, you get a bear.   This bear, actually. If you’re from western Montana you know that August and September is Dixon melon time, and if you’re smart you head to the farmers’ market each Saturday to pick up your cantaloupes … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Fall Hiking Season is Here: Coalpits Wash Backpack in Zion’s Southwest Desert

Posted on September 13, 2013 by westerner54

It’s time to start thinking about some desert hikes, don’t you think?   The area that Zion National Park calls the Southwest Desert offers some dandy fall hikes, particularly if you’re wanting to get away from the crowds that sometimes jam up … Continue reading →

Posted in Backpacking, Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Southwest hikes | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

These Birds Have Something to Say….

Posted on August 30, 2013 by westerner54

and they’re gonna say it, by golly.   Think birds are just sitting around, singing the occasional ditty, dreaming about the next worm?  Think again, my friend.  There’s a lot going on in those birdbrains. Take this little Eastern Kingbird family.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Birding, Humor, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Back to My Childhood: Camping in the National Parks

Posted on August 21, 2013 by westerner54

When I was a kid in the 60’s, my favorite time of year was the two weeks when we took our family vacation.  The five of us (or seven if Grandma and Grandpa came) piled into the Dodge station wagon: … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Nature, Outdoors, Travel, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

Prairie, Smoke, Sun

Posted on August 20, 2013 by westerner54

Near Nye, Montana, August 2013

Posted in Montana, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

What Makes a Perfect Day?

Posted on August 6, 2013 by westerner54

Well, how about a sunny summer morning, to start.  Then a hike along a favorite ridge accompanied by a young Cooper’s Hawk. Add in the discovery of a perfect old apothecary bottle along the trail: “Hall’s Catarrh Cure.” Then home for … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Wildlife | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Merle and Robert Earl, Joy Killing Sorrow, Jennies Wailing: Friends, Music, Sun and Fun at the Red Ants Pants Music Festival

Posted on July 30, 2013 by westerner54

White Sulphur Springs, Montana July 26 – 28, 2013 Oh, and did I mention the beards?   Not only beards, but a beard contest.  Here’s the winner: The runner-up was a definite crowd favorite.   He was doing pretty well with his … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Montana, Outdoors | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Citizen Scientist-ing in the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness

Posted on July 24, 2013 by westerner54

I’m a citizen. I’m not a scientist. But – after three days in the wilderness with the Wilderness Institute – I am an official Citizen Scientist.  And I’ve got the badge to prove it.* *Not really.  Didn’t get no stinkin’ badge. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure, Backpacking, Hiking, Montana, Nature | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

An Hour Out My Back Door to the Top of the World

Posted on July 17, 2013 by westerner54

I just love that we can leave our house in the middle of downtown Helena, drive an easy hour into the mountains northwest of town and arrive here, at this beautiful meadow below Granite Butte.    It’s a gorgeous drive, too. Granite … Continue reading →

Posted in Camping, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Travel | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

Prairie School under a Big Summer Sky

Posted on July 9, 2013 by westerner54

Near Sand Coulee, Montana July 7, 2013

Posted in Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments